Sunday NewsClips

Troubled Promise: Little Oversight, Looming Problems For Gas Industry
Impact Of Gas Drilling Environmental Woes Could Linger
1/8th Of Lackawanna County Land Leased For Drilling
Drilling Effects On Water To Be Discussed At EPA Meeting
Pittsburgh Weighing Marcellus Shale Drilling Concerns
Think Before Signing Your Land Away (For Drilling)
Volunteers Pluck Tons Of Trash Along Ohio River, Tributaries
Down On The Lazy (Susquehanna) River
Turning Abandoned Coal Mines Into Recreation Gold Mines
Philadelphia Water Dept. Releases Water Quality Report
Erie-Built Hybrid Locomotive Ready When Buyers Are
Editorial: Even In State Parks, Free Speech Should Reign
Rarest Bird Trio Nests On Three Mile Island
Thousands Continue To Visit The Quecreek Miracle

Saturday NewsClips

Lawmakers Say Budget Deadline Is Top Priority
Conewago Creek Designated USDA Showcase
Susquehanna Sojourn
Suits Claim Gas Drillers Owe Billions
$4.1 Million From Feds To Curb Energy Consumption
Philadelphia Creates Energy Authority To Confront Deregulation

June 21 PA Environment Digest Now Available

June 21 PA Environment Digest now available. Click here to print this Digest.

Rendell: Progress Made On Budget, Except 20,000 Workers May Be Furloughed

At a press conference this week, Gov. Rendell said there was progress in a meeting with the four Caucus leaders where they laid out a schedule to get the state budget done almost on time.
But he also asked the legislative leaders to stay in Harrisburg continuously, starting June 21, until the state budget is finished.
At the same time, the Governor said if the federal government does not approve $850 million in federal Medicaid funding by July 1, he would begin putting state funds in escrow to cover that budget need.
The funds, he said, would be gleaned from further budget cuts and the furlough of 20,000 state and local workers. Click here to read more…

Friday NewsClips

Wastewater Rule Wins Key Vote In Harrisburg
State Stiffens Drilling Water Regulations
PA Commission Passes Tougher Marcellus Shale Wastewater Rules
Marcellus Drillers Facing Stringent Wastewater Rules
Marcellus Shale Drillers Have To Treat Water Before Putting It Back
Senate Committee Expresses Concern About Shale Drilling
Drilling Benefits Recreation Site
Drillers Dispute Gasland Documentary
Gasland Movie Critical Of Drilling
Schuylill/Luzerne Forum Set To Discuss Business Opportunities
Sewage Upgrade Progress Varies To Meet Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
House Panel Seeks More Information On Chloramine
Solar Projects Heat Up At Lehigh Valley Schools
Solar Panels Could Be Bright Idea to Cut Costs
Op-Ed: Electric Deregulation Is Working
Riders Fill Up Free Buses On Dump The Pump Day
Erie Coke Pays $6 Million Penalty To Upgrade Coke Oven
National Award For PA State Parks Makes Rounds
Parks, Recreation Homecoming For Mike DiBerardinis
Fish Advisories Lifted For Pair Of Western PA Waterways
PA Towns To Serve As Put-In, Take-Out Sites For Susquehanna Adventure
Students Get First Hand View Of Gas Industry
Despite Cheaper Options, PPL Customers Remain With Utility
Smithfield Twp. Plans Wind Power Plant
Gas Well Response Company To Visit Clearfield Airport
Nature Abounds Grant To Aid Water Monitoring By Senior Environment Corps
Editorial: Don't Change Law To Allow Gas Companies To Seize Our Land
DRBC To Regulate Exploratory Wells
Partnership Resolution On Drilling Sparks Criticism In Sullivan

IRRC Approves Tougher Drilling Wastewater, Erosion & Sedimentation Rules

Gov. Rendell today praised two votes by members of the Independent Regulatory Review Commission he said will protect Pennsylvania's streams and drinking water supplies against total dissolved solids pollution from Marcellus Shade drilling wells and other sources from stormwater runoff.
The new total dissolved solids, or TDS, rules the Commission approved will ensure rivers and streams in Pennsylvania do not exceed the safe drinking water standard of 500 milligrams per liter, the Governor said. The rules also will protect businesses by grandfathering all existing discharges and allowing businesses to use a stream's ability to absorb those discharges while not exceeding drinking water standards.
"Today's IRRC vote is a great step forward in our efforts to protect one of the state's greatest natural and economic assets-our waterways," said Gov. Rendell. "Millions of Pennsylvanians rely on the state's rivers and streams for drinking water; countless numbers of our residents and visitors from out-of-state come here to fish these waters or use them for recreation; and some of our largest industrial employers wouldn't be able to operate here if not for the clean, reliable supply of water they offer. So, we cannot allow new, heavily polluted sources of wastewater to contaminate them.
"That's why these regulations are so important," added the Governor, who noted the approved regulations now await review from the environmental resources and energy committees in the state House and Senate."
Both regulations were approved by a vote of 4 to 1.
Drilling Wastewater
"As the natural gas industry expands to access the Marcellus Shale reserves in Pennsylvania, the volume of wastewater returned to our streams could increase exponentially, and the only way to protect our water resources is to implement new wastewater treatment standards for the drilling industry," said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger. "The National Association of Water Companies and many other individuals and groups across the state strongly support the adoption of this rule and I commend the Independent Regulatory Review Commission for taking this action. All other industries are responsible for the waste they generate and the drilling industry should be no exception."
Secretary Hanger noted that drilling wastewater contains very high levels of total dissolved solids - chlorides and sulfides - that must be removed before discharging into surface waters. High TDS levels have damaged industrial equipment, caused drinking water companies to issue drinking water advisories and even led to a massive fish kill on Dunkard Creek. Some of Pennsylvania's rivers are near their capacity to absorb and dilute additional levels of TDS.
The regulations will require drillers to treat drilling wastewater to 500 mg/l or to drinking water quality at the discharge pipe if they choose to return drilling wastewater to rivers and streams. Drillers have several options to dispose of wastewater in Pennsylvania, including: reuse or recycling; disposal in deep caverns when permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; or full treatment to the 500 mg/l for TDS standard.
The last option will only work if polluted water is properly treated to reduce high TDS levels. Several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Iowa, Virginia, Arkansas and Tennessee, prohibit returning any drilling wastewater to streams.
Natural Gas Industry Reaction
Kathryn Klaber, president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, issued this statement about the new rules, which have been sought by DEP:
“There is not a single water treatment facility in Pennsylvania that could meet this unreasonable benchmark, which will not provide any additional environmental benefit.
“Our industry is working aggressively and constantly to improve our water management practices, as one of our top priorities has been and remains the protection of our rivers, lakes, streams and tributaries. In fact, MSC members are now recycling nearly 60 percent of the water from this process. Many are recycling almost 100 percent of their water, thanks to new technologies and the unwavering commitment to environmental protection.
“There is a need for commonsense regulations that encourage the production job-creating natural gas throughout the Commonwealth and aim to keep our water clean. Unfortunately, these rules will make responsible shale gas development more difficult, and the jobs and economic benefits created throughout this process less likely, without positively impacting Pennsylvania’s water quality.”
Erosion & Sedimentation
The panel also approved new regulations to enhance existing rules governing erosion, sediment control and stormwater to protect streams from the effects of new development, reduce localized flooding during heavy storms, and cut sediment and nutrient pollution.
The new rules, which also include an updated permit fee structure, bring Pennsylvania into compliance with federal requirements for:
-- Erosion and sedimentation controls and post-construction stormwater runoff;
-- Creating mandatory requirements for establishing and protecting existing streamside and riverside buffers in high quality and exceptional value watersheds; and
-- Enhancing agricultural stormwater management provisions beyond plowing and tilling to include animal-heavy use areas.
The regulations also contain $5 million in permit fees increases designed to help offset, in part, the 26 percent cut in the General Fund appropriation to DEP in this year's budget and continued in FY 2010-11.
Environmental Reaction
“We applaud today’s vote in favor of adopting these important new standards. DEP based the regulations on sound science and the result will be better protection for our streams and drinking water.," said Matthew Ehrhart, PA Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“This proposal places tight limits on the total dissolved solids (TDS) allowable in treating hydraulic fracturing wastewater and will protect Pennsylvania’s streams, our communities, and our industries that depend on clean water. It will additionally provide protection for sewage treatment facilities that were not designed to treat the high TDS concentrations components that exist in this type of wastewater.
“The high TDS and other chemicals found in hydraulic fracturing wastewater can be damaging to the biological systems employed at many wastewater treatment facilities. These systems are critical to meeting nitrogen and phosphorus limits as required through the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Standards. Additionally, the proposal protects drinking water plants and other industries that rely on fresh water.

“The IRRC also approved improvements to Pennsylvania's regulations on preventing pollution from construction sites. The new regulations require that when a new development is proposed, our most pristine streams will be protected by a 150-foot streamside forest on both sides of the stream.
"Scientific research has shown that these forests, called buffers, provide critical benefits to water quality while often increasing neighboring property values. The new regulations also strengthen requirements for controlling stormwater pollution from new development and clarify requirements for agricultural operations that have livestock heavy use areas.
“Streamside forests and better stormwater pollution controls protect our streams from polluted runoff. CBF fully endorses these new requirements.
“These votes are a major victory for water quality in Pennsylvania.”
Next Steps
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee last week and the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week requested a 14 day extension of their opportunity to comment on these regulations. Both committees expressed interest in seeing the results of the IRRC meeting.
Copies of the regulations are available on the May 17 Environmental Quality Board meeting webpage.
NewsClips
State Stiffens Drilling Water Regulations
PA Commission Passes Tougher Marcellus Shale Wastewater Rules
State Passes Rules To Regulate Drilling Wastewater

June 23 PA Environmental Council Dinner To Feature Candidates For Governor

Join the PA Environmental Council for a discussion with Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato as they share their environmental perspectives and visions.
Tickets are still available for PEC's 40th Philadelphia Dinner - the region's premier environmental networking event! The dinner will be held on June 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Crystal Tea Room.
PEC will also present two Curtin Winsor Awards, named for PEC's founder and longtime president. Jane Pepper and Blaine Bonham, both recently retired from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, will be awarded this prestigious honor for their lifelong commitment and success in greening Philadelphia.

Marcellus Shale Coalition: Would DRBC Have Let Washington Cross The Delaware?

The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry group promoting Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania, put out this piece in response to the extended moratorium on drilling issued by the Delaware River Basin Commission this week.

It’s hard to imagine President Kennedy had the denial of jobs and revenue for residents of Pennsylvania in mind when he signed a bill in 1961 creating the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC).
But nearly a half-century later, the DRBC of today bears little resemblance to the compact established nearly five decades ago -- one that was put in place to promote economic growth by providing a mechanism for equitable distribution of the Delaware’s waters.
Today, unlike similarly structured, intergovernmental bodies – such as the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) – the DRBC is working aggressively to shut down any and all natural gas exploration that may take place, now or in the future, in the eastern portion of the Marcellus Shale.
This week, following the decision last month to ban new shale permits in the area, the West Trenton, N.J.-based organization took additional steps to bring responsible Marcellus Shale natural gas production to a standstill by putting forth a de facto moratorium. How’d it do that? Easy: DRBC simply gave itself the authority to unilaterally freeze exploratory Marcellus production wells in the basin altogether.
Well aware of exactly what’s at stake, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) wasn’t bashful in telling the Philadelphia Inquirer what it thought of the DRBC decision:
Kathryn Klaber, executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition…said extending the temporary ban on new permits to include exploratory wells only added "layers of unnecessary red tape" without any environmental benefit.
"The DRBC's decision to deny Americans the benefits of clean-burning, job-creating natural gas from the Marcellus Shale is misguided and unfortunate," she said. New technologies, she added, are reducing the overall water usage and land disturbance.
"At the same time, this production is creating tens of thousands of jobs and delivering affordable, clean-burning energy to struggling families and small businesses. Our hope is that the DRBC will recognize this fact and act accordingly, putting commonsense solutions and policies ahead of agendas," she said.
Safely producing clean-burning natural gas from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania remains a powerful job creation engine. In fact, according to a recently updated Penn State University economic impact study, this tightly regulated production is projected to create nearly 212,000 jobs over the next decade.
Many in Pennsylvania understand how important this opportunity is for the Commonwealth, especially in regions of the state facing high unemployment and ongoing economic struggles. And like the MSC, supporters of environmentally safe natural gas production understand how critical it is to get this right, balancing commonsense environmental safeguards with the economic opportunities before us.
Here’s what one northeastern Pennsylvania natural gas advocate told the Associated Press about safely developing these abundant, domestic and clean-burning resources near the Delaware River basin:
Energy companies have leased thousands of acres of land in Pennsylvania’s unspoiled northeastern tip, hoping to tap vast stores of gas in a sprawling rock formation — the Marcellus Shale — that some experts believe could become the nation’s most productive gas field.
Plenty of folks like Matoushek are eager for the gas, and the royalty checks, to start flowing — including farmers who see Marcellus money as a way to keep their struggling operations afloat.
“It’s a depressed area,” Matoushek said. “This is going to mean new jobs, real jobs, not government jobs.”
Adding new and unnecessary layers of burdensome regulations and red tape – aimed at halting job-creating Marcellus Shale natural gas production – will not help deliver more affordable supplies of homegrown energy.
The DRBC’s shale gas moratorium will not help drive down our dependence on unstable regions of the world to keep our economy fueled, nor will it help create jobs at a time when they’re most needed. Quite the opposite, in fact.

DEP's Scott Roberts Earns Mayfly Award

The Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference’s coveted “Mayfly Award” recognizes individuals who have dedicated a lifetime of knowledge and expertise to the reclamation of abandoned mines in Pennsylvania.
This year’s recipient is Deputy Secretary for Mineral Resources Management, Scott Roberts from the Department of Environmental Protection. It is safe to say that everyone in the AMR community knows Scott Roberts’ name and there is reason for that.
“Early on he recognized the value of working with watershed groups to help reclaim abandoned mines and treat mine water”, says former DEP Secretary David Hess. Secretary Hess goes on to say, “Scott helped to oversee programs that from 1995 to 2003 reclaimed over 33,000 acres of abandoned mined lands, more than at any other time in the state’s history.”
Scott's contributions to the AMR community doesn't stop there.
He was instrumental in gaining Congressional approval in 2006 for the extension of the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation fee that will, over 15 years, provide over $1 billion to Pennsylvania for mine reclamation efforts. He played a critical, behind-the-scenes, role in helping rescue the 9 miners trapped in the Quecreek Mine in Somerset County in 2002.
In his executive management position, Roberts’ oversees five program areas, encompassing 555 employees, with an annual operating budget of $110 million. The Bureau of Mineral Resources Management is responsible for developing and implementing Pennsylvania ’s policies and programs for surface and underground coal and industrial mineral mining, oil and gas exploration and production, mine safety and the reclamation of abandoned mines and wells.
The direct economic impact of these programs in Pennsylvania exceeds $2 billion annually.
Beyond all that, Roberts’ is an extremely personable, knowledgeable, respected, and worthy candidate for the PA AMR’s Conference committee’s prestigious award.
The Mayfly Award was presented to Roberts aboard the River Boat Cruise as part of the 2010 Joint Mining Reclamation Conference.

Thursday NewsClips

Legislative Leaders Charge Staff With Developing Budget
Vitali Pushes For Tax On Natural Gas Drilling
Severance Tax Issue A Big Hurdle For Drill Laws
Op-Ed: Conserve Aquatic Resources With Severance Tax
DEP Secretary Warns Of Consequences To Gas Industry
U.S. State Calls For Tougher Gas Drilling Regulation
Head Of DEP Wants Tougher Well Oversight
PA Environmental Official Calls For Safer Natural Gas Industry
PA Officials Warns Natural Gas Companies Not To Cut Safety Corners
DEP Warns Gas Well Drillers
New Standards Urged For Drilling Wastewater
DEP Seeks New Drilling Safety Laws
Editorial: Drilling Could Harm Water
New Recycling Facility Opens For Drilling Wastewater
Natural Gas Jobs Continue To Flow In PA
Senate Panel To Hold Form On Drilling Preparedness
No PA Violations Found For Driller In WV Well Fire
Group Revives PA Coal Caucus
State Parks To Suspend Anti-Free Speech Regulation
Flood Cleanup, Damage Assessment Continues In NE
The Allegheny Front: Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder
Schools Move Kids Outside For Nature Lessons
Anti-Billboard Group Sues Philadelphia
Bat Program At Carbon County EE Center
Sestak Commends DRBC Stand On Natural Gas
Sierra Club Plans Cleanup Of Neshaminy Creek Trail
$2 Million EPA Fine For Fish Kills
Drilling Poses Risk To PA Water Supplies
Ransom Discusses Gas Drilling Concerns
Chesco Firm Gets OK To Treat Marcellus Shale Water
Gas Pipeline Filing Puts Eminent Domain On Table
Reps. Hanna, Mirabito Offer Gas Tax Sharing Plan